By Toby
Thought I owed a post as my perspective was a little different then others on the day.
My PCC actually started the night before. I attended a wedding which turned out to be a little eventful. I broke my tooth on a pecan pie and drank a little too much. The result? A sore mouth and something in my chamois that wasnt Assos Chamois cream, and an unplanned trip to the porta loo pre-start. This on top of the crash eariler in th week. While I was doing my warm-up I was actually considering not racing. But hey – I was here. May as well right?
Had a pre-race chat with the guys before the start. Peter had already issued some, but considering he wasnt going to be with us – I re-issued my own. I told the guys I wanted out whole crew on the front for the first lap controlling the pace. Then in lap two we would start trying to get off the front. I also ran through the normal instructions of if we had someone off the front then we werent to chase, and if someone else got off the front then we all had to chase. Also for the virgins – ride straight, be careful, be smart. Normal SPR group rules apply.
So we got to the start line ready to put the plan into action when one of the Squadra Barista boys laid waste to that. He took off from the gun. I marked him straight away, but I knew the damage would be done. Some of our boys would have been put straight into the red zone and would be struggling.
Happily after about half a lap everyone was back together and I was joined at the pointing end of proceeding by Mark H and Jordan. Jordan took over on the front as we headed into the back straight and I headed back into the peleton for a breather. Snuggles came up around this time with Jen, Dave S and Michael.
I had a chat with Ben Wibberly towards the end of the first lap. He’s a nice young guy and is riding really wel at the moment. Shortly after this I had a quick chat with Mino and he was feeling pretty good as we went into the second lap.
From here you will have to forgive me. I may no longer be in chronological order. But the next lap and a half basically consisted of SPR guy attacking without success. I think Jen and Zac had the first crack. Short lived and was bought back quickly. After this Dave S and one of our other guys had a really good dig with Wibberly. They stayed off for a good 10 minutes. But again bought back. As we finished the second lap I found myself briefly off the front with Dave S and the Swisse Machine Freddy Landon. By the end of the straight we were all together and Dan Berry was trying to go off the front. He came back. I saw a chance to go with Zac and Mark H, but they didnt have the legs so I ended up off the front with myself for a little while – but I didnt have the Cancellara legs on.
The most impressive dig for the day was definately Dave S though. Having the ride of his life he was off the front solo for a good half a lap for a while. I just cant remember when.
Anyway, all the attacks and smart riding from all the SPR crew definately ensured that we were in control. It was actually a good feeling to see the club executing a plan. Ok, we didnt get it perfect as there was too many solos going off the front and not enough doubles – but we tried. Good stuff.
By the back straight it was clear it was going to be a sprint. I had my wheel picked out. My plan was to follow Wibberly and Josh from ECU into the sprint. I was confident that they would feature in the dash for the line. Unfortunately about 2 km out from the finish Michael decided he wanted to be on the outside, and in the process of moving up, moved me off the wheel I wanted to be on. I later passed him on the last corner as he rode off into the dirt. This little stuff-up left me about 10 wheels back coming into the sprint. That’s cycling – and it goes to show just how valuable experience is in this sport of ours. I managed to get around a few, and at the end of the day was happy to finish in 3rd behind Wibberly and Josh – the train I had picked and lost in muddle.
This was definately one of clubs best days out. I dont think we have scored many podium finishes in road races yet so very good for the club. Now we just need to some numbers up into B grade to help out poor Paul O who is waging war up there by himself. It was also great to see pretty much everyone finish. Even Jamie who is a doing really well.
Special mentions also for Jordan for self-sacrificing on the front; Zac for looking boss and having a crack in his first race; Dan B for nearly finding his way into the money and Mino for most improved honours.
Thanks again to everyone for helping out on the day. Especially the WAGS, photographers and Preso Pete. If you havent thanked PP personally for what he does, well make sure you do. He does a lot.
PS – I lost my SPR drink bottle on the day. Im pretty sure it has my name on the bottom. If you ended up with an extra bottle send it my way.
Sorry Toby!
Well done Toby and all the guys on a good race and great result. Be careful how much you put on the blog about team tactics as you never know who is reading :). BTW I managed a 2nd in B grade at the Wandi Classic last year so podium has been achieved previously, and others have stood up there too – especially the women.
Thanks for that Paul – I was sure we had – just couldnt remember when/where.
I was the other SPR guy with Ben in the break, and that 10min felt like an hour.
I think if Ben had some more people with him in the break he would have taken it all the way without being caught!
Ha, being inexperienced and dumb enough to get stuck on the front and not get off isn’t “self sacrifice” 🙂
As always, great write up Toby! Thanks for the props. Whats the next race… Menzies Classic anyone?
Nice write up Toby, 3rd spot is not too bad, bad luck about not being able to suck the right wheel…
My short lived road racing career in B grade (7 races in all) saw me not place in first race (being a tri-athlete, we are not too smart and like to work the whole time), I became smarter and snagged 2nd places in the next 4 races, then I became a triathlete again and got a 4th spot (I should have been on top spot but stuffed it up myself) and in my final B grade race I had a fall (thanks to Stu’s bike who softened the fall ;-). I told myself no more B grade races (Nico and Hedley in A grade calling me soft ;-).. So I have competed in 1 A grade race, no podium spot there 🙁 Cameron Meyer and Graeme Brown made sure of that 😉
Great work SPR, 13 people hiding in C grade, surely some will step up now? 😉 Although it sounds like there are a fair few strong people in C grade (Freddy Langdon the TT man) and the Barista boys..
Freddy Landon- the cheat… Pemberton C grade Crit saw him join the B grade as they went past for 4 laps- all he got was a little fine- not happy Jan…
I have seen him race in B grade as well as Ben (Ben even saying that he should be in A grade) not sure why those guys are still racing in C grade..???
Anyway- I managed a 3rd in the hell of the North dec last year…C grade- it was my first Road race too… 😉
Well done to everyone that raced- I wish i could of been there..
Thanks for the write up Toby.
you did us proud given the brown shorts and chipped tooth i reckon!
bit of a disaster for me… still trying to figure wtf happened after a fairly easy 40 kms.
reflecting that i may need to make changes to my training…like train harder!
Ahh so there was browness in your knicks.. Eeeww.. Should have kept a few off your wheel though 😉
Forgot to mention many other ‘road race’ podium efforts, Mike B has been up there on a number of times (masters and B grade), Bruce Mac has been up there, Stuart Gee has been up there, I am pretty sure Nico has too (not just in crits, tts and triathlons), Mr Carreno has been on the B grade podium too (not sure if in SPR colours though ;-), Mr Hedley would have been up there at some stage (not sure if in SPR colours though :-).. Even el Presidente has been on the podium at the state road racing championships, I believe he took home a silver in his age group..
Any others out there? 🙂
….Dan Hughes podiumed (is that a word) somewhere last year (i think) flying SPR colours, Lorraine won something too i recall (although maybe before my time), well, the girls probably have a long list.
Good effort though guys, it was good to see everyone out there. Time to step up Toby?
Lorraine “The Breakaway Queen” definitley won
Lorraine smashed them and as a reward got to patch my broken body 😉
Nicole S also won a race in Pemberton last year…
I think Hughesy podiumed in a crit, Tody stipulated lack of podiums for Spr ‘Road Racing’.. 🙂
Tobes, wot were you thinking, scoffing slabs of Pecan Pie before a race?? Wicked write up – really hit the spot (& not just the G-spot you understand)- you should write for a living, pal.
Michael – mate don’t sweat it! I’m a big boy – and won’t be the last time I lose a wheel in a sprint. See you on the weekend 🙂
I won my first B grade road race last year (pre-SPR days) and then got dropped in A when I was forced to step up;( That’s it for raod racing career.
pete, we need a ‘Podium Page’ to record all these…sound do-able?
just a list of race, member, placing ordered by date.
just a thought….